AISNE Workshop: The Cycle of Co-Construction & the Role of Pedagogical Documentation

Your students are capable of constructing knowledge. Thus, as an educator, you can support and encourage students to be active participants in their own learning by developing effective methods of interacting with them. Co-constructed curriculum—a process whereby teachers and students work collaboratively to determine what will be studied or learned—is one way to do so. 

Come learn about this dynamic process of negotiation between teachers and students, and explore the benefits of deep engagement and investment in the learning process it can bring about.

You will come away with both an appreciation and understanding of the co-constructed curriculum process and the role observation and documentation play in supporting student autonomy and engagement.

This workshop is designed for teaching faculty and academic leaders for students of young learners (Pre-K – Grade 2), no matter your years of experience.

Dates

Two synchronous sessions:

• Thursday, November 3 | 3:30 – 5:00 PM
• Thursday, November 17 | 3:30 – 5:00 PM

Presented virtually via Zoom meetings.

Register

REGISTER HERE

Workshop Agenda 

As an educator, you may feel challenged to redefine what teaching and learning can and should look like, and how to adopt an approach to teaching that both honors the agency and voice of your students. In this workshop, we will explore co-construction as an approach that allows for a new way for teachers and students to engage in deep, meaningful learning experiences together.

This workshop will feature two sessions. In the first, you will review co-construction as a means of engaging students. Together we will explore its relevance, and the landscape of its usage today and its roots in the Reggio-Emilia model. You will leave the first session able to:

• Identify the goals of co-constructed curriculum. 
• Understand the Cycle of Inquiry that leads to successful co-construction.
• Integrate academics and social-emotional learning into the process.

In the second session, our attention will turn to pedagogical documentation as a key component of a co-constructed process. We’ll break down the challenges of documentation so that it feels less daunting and identify it for what it is—an essential and exciting part of the teaching process. 

We will highlight the many uses of documentation, from curriculum development to individual student assessment. We will also share tips and strategies for documenting each day. You will come away with an understanding of:

• Why observation and documentation is vital. 
• How to identify what should be documented. 
• Managing your time to include documentation. 

Drawing from real-world examples from classrooms similar to yours, you will see the value of co-construction and documentation and how to apply it to your learning environment.

We look forward to learning with you!

About the Facilitators

Amber Lowe (she/her) is a former teacher and current Chief of Staff and Coordinator of Reggio-Inspired Programs at The Advent School, a progressive elementary school with a social justice mission in Boston, MA. Amber has spent 15 years teaching preschoolers and Kindergarteners and working in school administration in Reggio-inspired settings in Canada and the United States. She has a B.Ed in Elementary Education from McGill University and an M.Ed in Cultural & Policy Studies from Queen’s University. Amber is also the current President of the Boston Area Reggio Inspired Network—a non-profit organization that works to support the professional growth and development of educators interested in expanding their knowledge of the Reggio Emilia Approach.

Erina Spiegelman (she/they) is an anti-racist and anti-bias educator, curriculum designer, and teacher mentor who is committed to the rights of children as current citizens in our world. They have been working in education for the past 12 years, teaching toddlers through 2nd graders as well as coaching teachers as an instructional coordinator for Pre-K – Grade 2. They received their M.S. in Early Childhood Education from the Erikson Institute, their Associate Level Orton Gillingham Diploma from The Carroll School, and their certification in Montessori Lower Elementary from the North American Montessori Center. Currently, Erina is the Associate Dean of Students at The Advent School in Boston, MA, where they also facilitated the Social Justice Task Force in writing a curriculum of social justice for PreK – Grade 6.

Cancellation Policy

Virtual Events
Cancellations and transfer requests must be sent via email to info@aisne.org. Cancellations will receive a 100% refund less a $25 administrative fee. Transfers of registrations from one person to another are permitted up to 24 hours before the start of the event, or the first event of a series of events.

In-Person Events
Cancellations and transfer requests must be sent via email to info@aisne.org. Cancellations received up to 14 days before the start of the event will receive a 100% refund less a $25 administrative fee. Cancellations received within 14 days of the start of the event will receive a refund less a $100 fee. This fee covers the cost of our minimum commitments with our hotel partners; thank you for your understanding. Transfers of registrations from one person to another are permitted up to 24 hours before the start of the event.

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